Head-down persuader



May 4, 1948. A. P. SCHNEIDER 3 HEAD-DOWN PERSUADER Filed April 11, 1946 Patented May 4, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HEAD-DOWN PERSUADER Adolph P. Schneider, Allentown, Pa.; Allentown National Bank and Mayme P. Schneider executors of said Adolph P. Schneider, deceased Application April 11, 1946, Serial No. 661,184

6 Claims.

This invention relates to head-down persuaders for correcting the tendency of golfers to jerk their heads in the direction of a golf shot before completing the follow-through motion of the stroke, and represents an improvement upon the device disclosed in my Patent No. 1,980,101, granted November 6, 1934.

In the aforesaid patent I have shown and described a head-down persuader in which a screen pivotally mounted upon a support adapted to be worn upon the head is normally latched clear of the field of vision of the golfer but is maintained under spring tension so that upon a sudden sidewise jerk of the head the latch is automatically released to allow the screen to snap into visionintercepting position, thus signaling the golfer that he has improperly executed a stroke.

While the device just described has proven satisfactory in operation, nevertheless, because the sensitivity of the latching mechanism for the screen is either definitely fixed, as in the case of one embodiment, or is subject only to step-bystep adjustment, as in the case of another embodiment, this is disadvantageous for the reason that it is of the utmost importance that the sensitivity of the persuader should be capable of (minute and accurate regulation suited to the individual requirements of the golfer.

It is therefore an important object of my invention to provide a head-down persuader comprisin a screen-supporting frame adapted to be attached as a unit to the visors of headgear worn by golfers and having an inertia-operated latch for holding a screen in out-of-the-way position but actuable upon a sidewi'se jerk of the head for releasing the latch and allowing the screen to drop by gravity into vision-intercepting position. The invention contemplated the provision of a spring-biased latching arm adapted to engage the inertia member and means for accurately and universally varying the tension of the latching arm to adjust the sensitivity of the persuader to the personal requirements of the golfer. That is, for golfers having a pronounced tendency to jerk their heads sidewise, more tension may be applied to the latching arm so that the latch will operate only for signaling the faulty execution of a golf stroke and will not be affected by casual movements of the head; while for golfers having only a slight propensity toward sidewise jerking of their heads near the conclusion of a golf stroke, less tension may be applied to the latching arm so as to cause the latch to respond toless pronounced sidewise jerks of the head.

Another object of my invention is 2 P iQ l dfi 2 a head-down persuader which includes an inertia member adapted to be normally latched in inoperative position but releasable upon a sidewise jerk of the head to operate a sounding device.

A further object of my invention is to provide a head-down persuader of the above character adapted to be supported upon the head of a golfer, and which includes an inertia member operable upon a sudden sidewise movement of the head to actuate a sounding device and also to release a latch to allow a screen to swing into intercepting position with respect to the field of vision of the golfer.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a head-down persuader of the above character capable of use without change or alteration by either a right-handed or a left-handed golfer.

Another object of my invention is to provide a head-down persuader of the above character which is of relatively'simple and inexpensive construction and which, more particularly, eliminates the hook-and-eye latching mechanism of the device of my prior patentsuch as requires careful resetting after each operation-and which avoids the provision of special means for impelling the screen to vision-intercepting position. As a consequence of its relative simple construction, the head-down persuader of the present invention may be manufactured and sold within the low price range commercially necessary for sports accessories of this general nature. 4

Other objects and advantages will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, reference being had to the annexed drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a head-down persuader mounted upon the visor of a headband the visor being shown inverted so as to reveal the lower face thereof;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional View of the persuader taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and showing the manner in which it is intended to be worn on the head of a golfer, indicated in broken lines; and

Figure 3 is a detail view of a portion of the frame carryingthe inertia member and showing the sounding mechanism operated thereby.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing is shown a head-down persuader P mounted upon the underside of the visor V which is attached to a head-band H adapted to be worn upon the head of a golfer.

provide ears la. The sheet metal strip is adapted to be securely anchored to the visor V by means of staple-s 2 passing through the visor and holes suitably provided in the strip, whereby the persuader may be attached to or removed from the visor at will.

A pair of laterally spaced arms 3 having one of their ends secured to the sheet metal strip l project outwardly from the strip and are bent so as to extend at an inclination with respect to the plane of the visor. ported in the outer ends of the arms 3 and upon this cross-bar is mounted to slide an inertia member 5, in the form of a metaldisk.

A screen 1 of any suitable material, such as colored Cellophane, Celluloid or cloth is supported upon the outer ends of a pair of rock arms 8 the inner ends of these arms being toed out and passing through holes 6 provided in theears la. The screen I is thus pivotally mounted to swing by gravity from a position nesting against the upon itself so as to define a fixed arm Ea secured to a face of the screen and located approximately midway of the length thereof and a latching arm 9?) overlying but sprung away from the fixed. arm. 'A stiff wire it attached to the outer end of the latching arm is arranged to bear 'against'the circumference of the disk 5 (asbest shown in Fig. 2) so as to yieldingly hold the screen in raised position pressed tightly up against the under face of the visor V. The circumference of the disk is slightly concave, as indicated at 5a, in order to prevent accidental displacement of the disk along the cross-bar 4upon casual movements of the head, such as occur when the golfer is teeing up and preliminarily sighting the contemplated line of flight of the ball beforestarting stroke.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that shouldthe golfer suddenly jerk his head to follow the flight of the ball before completing the follow-through of his golf stroke, the disk 5 will slide along the cross-bar 4 out from ,under the-wire it), thus allowing the screen 1 to drop by gravity into the dotted line position of Fig. 2, thereby obscuring the vision of the golfer and notifying him of the fact that hehas improperly executed the stroke. Because the tendency to jerk the head in the direction of intended flight of the ball is more pronounced in some golfers than in others, it is desirable that the sensitivity of the device should be adjustable to suit the habits of individual golfers, and to that end there is provided a thumb screw i l threaded through an opening in the latching arm 9?) and having its inner end bearing against the fixed arm 9a, 'By turning the thumb screw inwardly or outwardly, the pressure of the wire in against the circumference of the disk .5 may be universally and minutely varied, and hence the side tlsirustnecessary to cause the disk to ride out of engagement with the latching arm 9b is likewise increased or diminished.

Insome cases itmay be desirable to produce an audible signal when a stroke is improperly executed. According to the present embodiment A cross-bar 4 is sup- 4 of the invention, this is accomplished by the following mechanism. Located upon opposite sides of the disk 5 and mounted to slide on the crossbar 4 is a pair of sleeves [2 each carrying a flexible wire arm l3 upon the end of which is mounted a clapper M. A pair of gongs i5 is mounted on the channel strip l and coil springs I6 encircling the cross-bar and interposed between the sleeve l2 and the ends of the cross-bar serve to maintain the sleeves in a position such that the clappers are normally held a short distance away from the gongs, Thus, the disk 5 in its sliding movement in either direction along thecrosslbar strikes one of the sleeves, forcing it against'theicoil spring which is compressed, and'causing the-clapper to strike the gong which emits a metallic note. Thereafter the reaction of the coil spring throws the sleeve a short distance backward along the cross-bar, removing the clapper from out of contact with the gong. The cross-bar 4 is preferably of non-circular crosssection and-passes through openings of corresponding cross-section in the sleeves l2, whereby the clappers M are maintained in sliding alignment with the gongs l5.

When it isdesired to utilize only the sounding device for signaling an improperly executed golf stroke, the screen i may be fastened in inoperative position by means of a catch it pivotally mounted-upon thechannel strip I and arranged to be manually moved into the dotted line position of Fig. 1 so that its end overlies the inner margin of the screen to support the screen against downward swinging movement when the disk 5 has shifted free of the latching arm at.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the head-down persuade-r is adapted for use by either right-handed or lefthanded golfers, since the disk 5 is free to shift in either direction along the cross-bar 3 and because the sounding mechanism is duplicated at opposite ends of the cross-bar. If desired the screen 7 with its supporting arms 8 may be omitted from the persuader, in which case the sounding mechanism alone will serve to indicate a sidewise jerk of the head; or the sounding mechanism maybe omittedand the screen employedexclusively for this purpose.

As in the case of the device of my prior patent afore-mentioned, the apparatus, while intended primarily for 'useas ahead-down persuader for golfers, is susceptible of broader applications. It is useful as an eye protector formotorists during night driving and as an eye shield for foundrymen, welders and others, the purpose of the translucent screen being to filter out the glare of blinding lights. The screen, if desired, may be composed of optical glass having vision-correcting or magnifying properties, an important advantage of the invention being to provide a simple, quick and positive means for instantly bringing a screen of any suitable material before the eyes without requiring the use of the hands.

It is to be understood that various other changes in arrangement and design may be made in the construction of the head-down persuader described above, which is to be regarded as exemplary only of a preferred form that the invention may take, without departing from the spirit of my invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A head-down .persuader comprising a frame adapted to be attached to the visor of headgear, a cross-bar supported upon the frame so as to extend in the direction of the length of the visor, an inertia member slidable along the cross-bar, a screen pivotally mounted upon said frame and a latching arm upon the screen adapted to yieldingly press against the inertia member for supporting the screen in raised position disposed adjacent the visor, said inertia member being formed to provide a concave bearing surface for the latching arm.

A head-down persuader comprising a frame adapted to be attached to the visor of headgear, a cross-bar supported upon the frame so as to extend in the direction of the length of the visor, a disk slidable along the cross-bar, a screen pivotally mounted upon said frame, a latching arm upon the screen adapted to yieldingly press against the circumference of the disk for supporting the screen in raised position disposed adjacent the visor, the circumference of said disk being formed with a concave bearing surface for the latching arm, and means for adjusting the position of the latching arm to vary its pressure against the disk.

3. A head-down persuader comprising a frame,

'said frame including a strip adapted to be attached to the visor of head-gear, a pair of stationary arms extending outwardly from said strip and supporting therebetween a cross-bar so as to extend in the direction of the length of the visor, a disk slidable along the cross-bar and having a concavely formed circumference, a pair of rock arms ,pivotally mounted in said strip for rocking movement about an axis parallel to the cross-bar, a screen supported upon the outer ends of said rock arms, a latching arm secured at one end to said screen adapted to yieldingly press against the circumference of the disk for supporting the screen in raised position disposed against the visor, and a screw threadedly mounted in said latching arm and having its end bearing against said screen for adjusting the pressure of said latching arm against the disk.

4. A head-down persuader comprising a frame adapted to be attached to the visor of headgear, a cross-bar supported upon the frame so as to extend in the direction of the length of the visor, an inertia member slidable along the rossbar, a sleeve slidably mounted upon the cross-bar adjacent the inertia member, a gong supported upon the frame, a clapper carried by the sleeve and adapted to impact the gong, spring means for maintaining the sleeve with the clapper in spaced relation to the gong and a latching arm located intermediate the ends of the cross-bar and yieldingly pressing against the inertia member.

5. A head-down persuader comprising a frame adapted to be attached to the visor of headgear, a cross-bar supported upon the frame so as to extend in the direction of the length of the visor, an inertia member slidable along the crossbar, sleeves slidably mounted upon the cross-bar upon opposite sides of the inertia member, gongs supported upon the frame adjacent opposite ends of the cross-bar, a clapper carried by each of said sleeves and adapted to impact one of said gongs, springs encircling the cross-bar adjacent its ends for maintaining the sleeves with their clappers in spaced relation to said gongs, a

latching arm located intermediate the ends of the cross-bar and yieldingly engaging a recessed portion upon the inertia member and means for adjusting the position of said latching arm for varying its pressure against the inertia member.

'6. A head-down persuader comprising a frame adapted to be attached to the visor of headgear, a cross-bar supported upon the frame so as to extend in the direction of the length of the visor, a disk slidable along the cross-bar, a screen pivotally mounted upon said frame, a latching arm upon the screen adapted to yieldingly press against the circumference of the disk for supporting the screen in raised position disposed against the visor, means for adjusting the pressure of the latching arm against said disk, sleeves slidably mounted upon the cross-bar upon opposite sides of the disk, gongs supported upon the frame adjacent opposite ends of the crossbar, a clapper carried by each of said sleeves and adapted to impact one of said gongs and springs encircling the cross-bar adjacent its ends for maintaining the sleeves with their clappers in spaced relation to said gongs.

ADOLPH P. SCHNEIDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,298,636 Altman .1... Apr. 1, 1919 1,683,505 Walker Sept. 4, 1928 1,980,101 Schneider Nov. 6, 1934 2,191,683 Roberts Feb. 23, 1940 

